The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Highest Perch"
During my childhood, some friends and I built a tri-level treehouse in a tall tree on the outskirts of our neighborhood. From the highest perch, we felt as if we could see all over our city. We did, in fact, have a much better vantage point from the top of the tree.
"We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (II Corinthians 4:18).
The Apostle Paul references what might be termed our determined perspective regarding how we view God, ourselves, our lives, and the world. Do we see things from a higher, Heavenly vantage point, or from a lower, earthly view? The answer determines the experience and condition of our hearts. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee… He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 13:58).
First, we do not ignore earthly realities. They will not allow us to do so. The word "look" in Paul's statement above does not mean a glance, but rather a gaze. We must engage with the matters of our present lives in order to function, survive, and most importantly, honor our Lord in "whatsoever ye do" (I Corinthians 10:31). However, we do realize that the necessary horizontal view we must possess does not constitute the primary gaze of the heart to which our Heavenly Father calls us. "I will life up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help" declared the Psalmist, whose earthly view of trouble reminded him to embrace the Heavenly view of God's promised aid and provision (Psalm 121:1).
Seeing the earthly view as opportunity to be reminded of the Heavenly perspective will greatly enhance our walk with the Lord and experience of His involved presence and working in our lives. Consider:
"The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord" (Psalm 33:5).
"The whole world lieth in wickedness" (I John 5:19).
Which is true of the present domain in which we live, "the goodness of the Lord," or the world's "wickedness?" Both, of course. But which is greater? And upon which perspective will we set our gaze, our determined perspective? Our answer determines much, most importantly, our faith in God and our faithfulness to Him. The "highest perch" of a treehouse from long ago reminds me of such a calling, and such a peace that awaits when we choose to view all things from a higher and Heavenly vantage point.
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee."
(Psalm 56:3)
"God…hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
(Ephesians 2:4; 6)
Weekly Memory Verse
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
(John 7:24)
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